By Scott Kramer, Contributing Equipment Editor
You’re well aware it’s extremely important for golfers to stay hydrated on the course. The last thing you want at your facility is for someone to become ill from dehydration.
Being able to offer players of all ages, physical abilities and levels of experience various forms of hydration is crucial, which is why we recently spoke with Travis Key (pictured), co-founder of Strokes Gained – a maker of hydration supplements for golfers.
How can staying hydrated help golfers on the course?
Travis Key: Hydration supports energy, mental clarity and swing consistency. Even mild dehydration of just 1 or 2 percent of body weight can lead to a major drop in performance. Studies show that dehydrated golfers hit shots 15 yards shorter, make nearly double the distance judgment errors, and experience a sharp decline in focus, coordination and decision-making.
What’s usually the first sign of dehydration on the course?
Key: The first signs are often subtle dry mouth, fatigue and a drop in mental sharpness. Golfers might start feeling sluggish, lose focus or misjudge distances. As dehydration progresses, it can lead to muscle cramps, headaches, dizziness and irritability. All of which affect swing consistency, coordination and decision-making. By the time you feel thirsty, you’re likely already behind. That’s why proactive hydration is key to staying sharp for all 18 holes.
How can PGA of America Golf Professionals remind their customers and members to stay hydrated?
Key: We suggest keeping hydration readily available as a point of sale in the golf shop, at the starter tee and in beverage carts. We equip our clubhouse partners with resources they can share with their members and guests. This promotes well-being and a sense of caring from the club to the consumer.
How does hot weather contribute to dehydration during the summer?
Key: In the summer heat, the body loses salt rapidly through sweat – especially during walking rounds or practice sessions. Combine that with hours in direct sunlight and limited water breaks, and it’s easy to fall behind. By the time you feel thirsty, performance may already be compromised. Proactive hydration is key in hot weather. That’s why we include the right amount of sodium to replenish fluids lost during hot weather.
How does your product differ from everything else on the market, including plain water?
Key: While water keeps you hydrated, it doesn’t replace the essential electrolytes your body loses during four-plus hours of walking, swinging and sweating on the course. Strokes Gained has been created specifically for golf. It delivers over six times the electrolytes of products such as Gatorade, but with zero sugar – so you get clean, sustained hydration without the crash.
Unlike some products that overload you with sodium (up to 1,000 mg), which can cause jitters and impact touch and feel, we’ve dialed in a balanced formula designed for performance and precision: It’s 483 mg of sodium (including Pink Himalayan salt), 293-300 mg of potassium, 40 mg of magnesium, and Vitamins B6, B12, C and D. This combination supports energy, muscle function and focus without overloading your system.
It is hydration engineered for steady hands and sharp swings. And it’s available in lemon lime and watermelon flavors.
How often should golfers drink your product in a typical 18-hole round?
Key: We recommend drinking at least one stick before or at the beginning of the round, and up to one additional stick every nine holes, especially in hot weather. That keeps electrolyte levels steady for most competitors.
Why is your product golf-specific?
Key: Golf demands a unique balance of endurance, focus and consistency over a four-to-six hour stretch, often in the heat. Most hydration brands are built for short bursts of high-intensity exercise. Strokes Gained is designed for the sustained, strategic nature of golf. The flavor, electrolyte balance and convenience (small stick packs that fit easily in a golf bag) were all created with golfers in mind.
How can PGA of America Professionals develop partnerships with Strokes Gained?
Key: We love working with PGA Professionals. We offer wholesale pricing for golf shops and tournaments; affiliate programs for Professionals who want to recommend Strokes Gained to students and earn commission; co-branded bundles for major club tournaments; and custom sampling kits to try products risk-free at your facility. Interested PGA Professionals can reach out to us directly or through our website.
